Northwest Stadium facts for kids
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A Washington Commanders game at the stadium, 2023
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 Northwest Stadium
Location in Maryland
Northwest Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Former names |
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| Address | 1600 Ring Road |
| Location | Landover, Maryland, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°54′28″N 76°51′52″W / 38.90778°N 76.86444°W |
| Public transit |
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| Owner | Washington Commanders (Josh Harris) |
| Operator | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) |
| Executive suites | 257 |
| Capacity | 62,000
Former capacity: List
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| Surface | Bermuda grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 13, 1996 |
| Opened | September 14, 1997 |
| Renovated | 2024 |
| Expanded | 1998, 2000, 2005 |
| Construction cost |
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| Architect | HOK Sport |
| Structural engineer | Bliss & Nyitray, Inc |
| Services engineer | M-E Engineers, Inc. |
| General contractor | Clark Construction |
| Main contractors | Driggs Construction Co. |
| Tenants | |
| Washington Commanders (NFL) 1997–present | |
Northwest Stadium is a large American football stadium located in Landover, Maryland, U.S. It's about 5 miles (8 km) east of Washington, D.C.. This stadium is the home field for the Washington Commanders, a team in the National Football League (NFL).
When it first opened in 1997, the stadium was called Jack Kent Cooke Stadium. Later, it was known as FedExField from 1999 until 2024. For a short time in 2024, it was called Commanders Field before getting its current name, Northwest Stadium. At one point, from 2004 to 2010, it was the biggest NFL stadium with 91,000 seats. Today, it can seat 62,000 fans.
Contents
History of Northwest Stadium
In the early 1990s, the owner of the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), Jack Kent Cooke, wanted a new stadium. He chose to build it on a farm in Landover, Maryland. A special exit was even built from the main highway, Interstate 495, to help people get to the stadium.
Jack Kent Cooke passed away just months before the stadium opened. His sons decided to name it Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in his honor. The first game was played there on September 14, 1997, between the Redskins and the Arizona Cardinals.
New Owners and Name Changes
In 1999, Daniel Snyder bought the team and the stadium. He briefly changed the name to Redskins Stadium. Later that year, he sold the naming rights to FedEx, and the stadium became known as FedExField for 27 years.
Over time, the stadium's seating capacity changed. In the early 2010s, some seats were removed from the upper levels. By 2022, the stadium had its current capacity of 62,000 seats.
In July 2023, a group led by Josh Harris bought the team and stadium. In February 2024, FedEx ended its sponsorship early. The stadium was then temporarily called Commanders Field. On August 27, 2024, it was officially renamed Northwest Stadium after a sponsorship deal with Northwest Federal Credit Union.
Future Plans for the Commanders
In April 2025, the Commanders team and the mayor of D.C. announced plans for a new stadium. This new stadium would be built in Washington, D.C., and could be ready by 2030. If these plans are approved, the Commanders would move out of Northwest Stadium once their new home is finished.
Stadium Design and Levels
Northwest Stadium has five main levels for fans and special guests. These levels are:
- The Lower Level
- The Club Level
- The Upper Level
- The Lower Suite Level
- The Upper Suite Level
Each of the main levels is named after important people from the team's history. The Lower Level is named after Bobby Mitchell, a famous player and executive. The Club Level honors Joe Gibbs, a legendary coach. The Upper Level is named after former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. The stadium also has 257 special suites for guests.
Other Exciting Events
Besides NFL games, Northwest Stadium hosts many other fun events, including college football, soccer, rugby, and concerts.
College Football Games
The stadium is home to the annual Prince George's Classic, a college football game often played between two historically black universities. It has also hosted other big college games, like the Army–Navy Game in 2011 and 2024.
International Soccer Matches
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Northwest Stadium has seen many exciting international soccer matches. It hosted six games during the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, including a thrilling quarterfinal where the U.S. team beat Germany 3–2.
Many famous club teams have also played exhibition matches here. Teams like Chelsea F.C., Real Madrid, Manchester United, and F.C. Barcelona have all played at the stadium, drawing huge crowds of fans.
Rugby Union Matches
On October 23, 2021, the stadium hosted a rugby union match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the USA Eagles. Nearly 40,000 people came to watch this exciting game.
Concerts and Music Festivals
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Northwest Stadium is also a popular spot for major concerts and music festivals. Many famous artists and bands have performed here, including The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Kenny Chesney, Guns N' Roses, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, and AC/DC. These shows bring thousands of music fans to the stadium.
Stadium Improvements and Challenges
Like any large venue, Northwest Stadium has faced some challenges and has seen improvements over the years. The stadium is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the nearest Washington Metro station, Morgan Boulevard. This means fans often have to walk or find other ways to get to the stadium from public transport.
The stadium has undergone renovations, including some in 2024. However, there have been a few incidents, such as water leaks reported in 2021. In 2022, a barrier near the away team tunnel gave way, causing some fans to fall. The team stated that medical help was offered on site. The NFL was asked to look into the incident to help prevent similar issues in the future and ensure fan safety.
See also
In Spanish: Northwest Stadium para niños
